Revelation 18 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“All this will happen because your merchants were the nobility of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery of power and beauty, and the blood of the prophets and saints, and all those slaughtered on earth, was found in her.” Revelation 18:23b-24

The idea that the “Great Prostitute” would seduce and collect kings & merchants is not new to Scripture. Jeremiah records that Babylon’s king Evil-merodach “pardoned King Jehoiachin of Judah and released him from the prison. He spoke kindly to him and set his throne above the thrones of the kings who were with him in Babylon.”

Babylon’s king Nebuchadnezzar often captured & imprisoned the kings and officials of nations he defeated. Then he redistributed those nations’ people throughout the Babylonian kingdom. His purpose was to kill cultures by creating melting pots of nationalities.

Mystery Babylon dominates the World by enticing, enslaving, and assimilating mankind to her adulteries. How do nations, merchants and kings become deceived by “Mystery Babylon”? They willingly choose to be enslaved by succumbing to her enticements. They sell themselves into bondage, and then respond with appreciation when their “master” promotes them within her system.

“But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires.” James 1:14

Mystery Babylon’s methods are very different from G_d’s. He certainly doesn’t want men to live in forced bondage, because He gives us the freedom to choose Him. G_d does not tempt men. Nor, does He desire they sin and undergo judgment.

“God is not willing that anyone should perish, but all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

It isn’t until we feel the impact of our fall and recognize our powerlessness to recover, that we cry out for G_d. When we repent in humility & sincerity, He answers with Grace & Mercy.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened unto you.” Matt 7: 7

We do not have to live in the bondage of this World. We are free to choose whether we will serve G_d or the World, which the L_rd has now revealed to us as the great enticer and spiritual whore, “Mystery Babylon”.

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Tuesday, December 31, 2013